The City of Somerville is now accepting applications for one public position on the Community Preservation Committee, which oversees the selection of projects to be recommended for funding by an estimated $2 million in annual Community Preservation Act (CPA) revenues.

This week the City’s new Somerville Urban Lab Initiative issued a call to innovators for pilot proposals. It offers up the 4.1-square-mile city as a citywide incubator—or urban lab—for testing smart products and ideas that can further the goals of the community and spur economic development.

Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP) is currently hiring Middle School and High School Youth Leaders for our Somerville Positive Forces (SPFJr and SPF100) Programs to work as part of a team to promote student wellness through fun campaigns and positive peer messaging; and address issues related to underage drinking, substance abuse, and tobacco use, including bullying and mental health wellness.

Statement from Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone

This year on Monday, October 8, the City of Somerville will observe Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We will join--among many others--Alaska, Vermont, Durango, Colo., and Traverse City, Mich., in doing the right thing. It’s been an issue we’ve given careful consideration, and many inside and outside our city have made compelling arguments for this change.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Somerville Commission for Women and RESPOND announce the annual Candlelight Vigil in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Wednesday, October 3, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Statue Park in Davis Square.

The vigil is an annual event bringing the community together in remembrance of those who have lost their lives over the last year to domestic violence.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Director of Veterans Services Bryan Bishop announce a brand new ceremony to honor our City’s and our nation’s Veterans. Please mark your calendars for Sunday, November 4, 2018, for the rescheduled Veterans Memorial Parade. Although the weather, unfortunately, did not cooperate for the May edition of the Parade, Somerville will host one of only two parades in the region in honor of Veterans Month in November (the second is the Veterans Day Parade currently planned in Boston for November 11).

Statement from the Somerville Police Department

The Somerville Police Department is investigating the removal and defilement of American Flags planted in the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, and the desecration of the Veteran’s Monument to those who gave their lives in World War 2 in defense of their country.

The SPD has identified the male party contained in the photo below as a person of interest. Anyone knowing the identity of the individual is asked to contact the Somerville Police Department at 617-625-1600 x7238.

SOMERVILLE – The City of Somerville is seeking to fill vacancies on eight essential boards and commissions appointed by the Mayor and coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development. Boards and commissions offer an opportunity for community members with a range of experience, skills, expertise, and perspectives to share their talents and insights with their community. The Mayor’s office will be accepting applications for the open positions through Monday, October 15, 2018.

The City of Somerville is currently seeking applicants for seven members of the public to re-establish the Urban Forestry Committee. The Committee’s input is intended to support and guide policies and plans currently being reviewed and advanced by the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development and the Department of Public Works. The Committee will advise the City on matters related to the management and maintenance of all existing and new trees and shrubs on public grounds and public ways.

Join us Wednesday, Sept. 26, at 6:30 p.m., for the final community meeting on the redesign of Henry Hansen Park (located at the corner of Medford Street and Partridge Ave.). We will also be discussing the possibility of removing the large tree in the middle of the park. The meeting will take place at the Visiting Nurses Association, 259 Lowell Street., 3rd Floor Conference Room opposite the community room. It will be led by the Commissioner of Veterans’ Services, Bryan Bishop, and the project lead, D.J. Chagnon, from CBA Landscape Architects.

Please join Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Veterans’ Commissioner Bryan Bishop as we raise the POW-MIA flag and remember those brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who served as Prisoners of War or are considered Missing In Action. The ceremony will take place at 12 p.m. on Friday, September 21, 2018 at the City Hall Concourse (93 Highland Ave.). This ceremony offers an opportunity to pause and reflect on the service and sacrifice of so many who have served our country.

Although timelines are subject to change, current plans for construction of the Green Line Extension (GLX) call for the full closure of the Broadway Bridge, just east of Ball Square, for one full year beginning in January 2019. While the bridge is closed, detours will be in place for cars, bikes, pedestrians, and MBTA bus routes 80 and 89.

Update: On Friday, September 7, members of the Boston Police Fugitive Unit with assistance from the Somerville Police Department and Massachusetts State Police arrested Lorne Harrison, 53, of Mattapan, on a warrant for Armed Robbery and other violations. Somerville Police have confirmed that Harrison is the suspect being sought this week following an armed robbery of Kay Jewelers at Assembly Row in Somerville on August 30, 2018. Harrison will be arraigned in U.S. Federal Court.